Gas-generator.



AJ. H. RICHARDS.

GAS GENERATOR.

APPLlcATsoN man Nov. 1. 1917.

l ,272,529. Patented my 16, 1918.

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J. H.v RICHARDS.

GAS GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 7, 19|?.

1. H. RICHARDS.

GAS GENERATOR.

APPLICATlON FILED NOV. 7, 1917.

Patented July 16, 1918. Y

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4`0 i the -hopper has been used, the carbid in the Jon HENRY RICHARDS, or DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

GAS-GENERATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 16, 1918.

Application led November 7, 1917. Serial No. 200,843.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it knownthat I, Jon H. RICHARDS, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Detroit, in the county of Vayne and State of Michigan, have Vinvented new and useful Improvements in Gas-Generators, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements vin f acetylene gas generators, and refers more specifically to Y a generator of that type wherein the carbid in granulated or pulverulent form is fed to a body of water in determined quantities automatically cone trolled by the pressure of gas generated.

In carrying outk my invention it is my purpose to produce an acetylene generator of asiniple, compact,.strong and effective nature, wherein the generator or receptacle is arranged directly below the carbid hopper, while between the said tank and hopper is arranged a combined filtering and purifying chamber, pipe members leading ltherefrom to a combined gas reservoir and cooler,

the house or outlet pipe being connected to the said gas cooler and projecting through lthe water in an outer tank or receptacle; the

the carbid hopper is provided with an auXilv iary compartment controlled by avalve operative from the exterior of the machine, so

that when the main quantity of vcarbid in auxiliary compartment may be fed-directly to the hopper, so that the necessity of refilling the hopper when gas is required for only acomparatively'small period, such as a single night, will not be necessitated and the labor and trouble of such refilling is thus Ieffectively overcome.

nature arranged in the generator tank, but

operative from the exterior of the device, so

It is a still further object ofthe invention to produce, in an acetylene gas generator, Y y.agitating means lof a'particular and effective mum amount of gas therefrom, and to reduce the residue in the generator tank.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the nature of the invention is more fully understood, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which,

t Figure l is an approximately central vertical transverse sectional view through an acetylene gas generator constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view approximately on the line 2 2 of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional -view approximately on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. -ll is a sectional view approximately on the line 4 4 of Fier. 1. i

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, approximately central longitudinal sectional view through the carbid hopper and the upper portion of the bell showing the latter actuating the valve at the outlet mouth of the hopper to open the said valve. y

Fig. 6 is horizontal sectional view approximately on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the filtering and purifying device.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of the collars designed to be arranged upon the pipes between the cooling chamber and the vpurifying chamber for supporting the floor or table' on which the generator tank rests.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the agitator, and l Fig. 10 is a transverse sectional view through the carbid hopper, looking to vard the door therein.

ln carrying out my invention, I propose to bury the water tank 10 in the ground, at a suitable distance from the residence sup- -plied with the gas, and, ofcourse, at a suitable distanceform other houses or out buildings. The mouth of the tank 10, however, is

projected a suitable distance above the ground, and the mouth of the said tank is normally closed by a flanged cover 1l, the same beingV provided with suitable handles 12, whereby the cover may beremoved so that access to the interior of the tank may beobtained.'` The water level in the tank is indicated by the numeral 13, the said water` chamber 1li the periphery of which being preferably roundtoagree with the round jsaidreceptacle at a proper spaced relation l ing upwardly therefrom, is a plurality of pipes 15, preferably'fonrin' nnmb'er. The

pipes communicate with the lowerwall ofV the purifying receptacle 1G, and retain'the with respect lto the chamber 14. The receptacle 16 comprises aii'5iniier andan outer wall, 17 and 18 respectively, the said walls ybeing 'round in' cross section and being'connected, at ltheir lower edges by a preferably f' integral member indicated by the numeral l19. .Between the walls 171and 18 is packed a combined purifyingand filtering medium indicated by the numeral 20, and" the inner wall 17 is inthe naturefof aV reticulated 'niembenso that gas from the' generator tank may pas'sthrou'gh'the openings 21 therein, causing` the said gas to be' filtered andI 'puriied by circulating vthrough thefpacking 2() and thereafter to be delivered' -tl'ironghthe 'pipes 15 to the chamber The" chamber 14 being at alltiines immersed in the water in the tank 10 is retained ina cooled state, and consequently, the storedV inthejsaidl c'hamber 14' will be likewise cooled.

filtering receptacle 16 extends a'siiitable distance below the connecting plate or'wall 19 for the inner and outer vwalls 4ofthe saidrei not provided with'openings, the same being' indicated by the numeral 22, and this extension 'or annular flange 221s designed to be tance below the connection therewith with the fiange or extension 22 is provided with one vor more outlet openings 24, the'level of the water in the said tank is indicated by the numeral V25' and is belo'wthe openings 24,

but above the level 13of thewater in'the tank 10. The generatortankhas itsv boty tom resting upon a floor or platform 26,"

fthe same having'sp'aced openings through which' the pipes 15: pass, and the table or zontal position uponthesaid ypipes 'by y plurality of collars 27a`rran'ged one around eachfof the pipes 15, each of the said collars being sustained upon the respective pipes 15 "Wee through 'the medium of binding Zelements, suchjas'screws orbolts'28.

."tube 29,' is provided with a head 32, rod

members 33 being secured to the said head Y and depending therefrom and to theends ber having a flat round periphery provided,

ing right angularly arranged llugs,t\vo of the diametrieallypposite lugs indicated by the numerals 35, being preferably in the nature of flat plateshavingv openings adj acent thej'inner Vends thereof whiclr receive the-lends -ofthe rodsf33, and thel'safid rods are Ipivotally connected to `the-'said lugs *35, preferably througlrthe mediumofremove' able elementssnchf as'cotteri-pi'ns' 36, The

remaining Vinwardly'*extending members or lugs, indicatedjv fordistinction by the :numerals 37'- 'have central feloi'igated lOpenings, 'and with a 'single"p'iece of flat metal bent tocom- -p'rise 'parallel' armsl which have their ends connected withi the "periph Very *off the annulus or ringmei'nberf 34: and their outerl or trated in Fig. '.Qof` the drawings. The4 spaced f 'arms of the meinbers37 assist iir turning the rThe Vinner wall 17 kof thefpurifying and water in the'fgenerator tank l'and in contactingwith carbid` iny thes'aid tank, will lbreak the saineythus permitting the genera-`4 tion roff a maXimum amount of'gas from the ceptacle, the projecting portion,l however, is

carbid, and; at' the'I saine time reducing the residue'in the x generator tank. Y e

One ofthe `collars 27 illustrated' 'in detail 'iir lFigf'S off'therldrawings, Vis proVidedQ-'f "uponone-'of itssides with' a depending strap 38 which has its'lower'"endffbent upon itself providingan outer arin 39, andbetween this varm 39 and :the strap 38 isfpivotallysecured a lever 40, thesaid leven-having! its inner' endlooselyconnected'y with the Vrod 31,y and its' Vopp'osi te end lo`oselyf` connected 'with the yveiti cally extending' agitator Voperating rod V42, the said rod 42 being arranged in close t proximity to theinner'wallof the tank 10 and terminating a suitable4 'distance 'below the cover Y11, `the outerend of the' said rod j 42 being bent iipon'itself toy provide ahandle 43, whereby'. the saidA 'rod may-bet easily ire-Y.

through suitable* b'earingeye's; 44, in the "tank'10. l A Y Y' l f The upper land openV end ofthepurifying receptacle 16"is closedv by@ iliat'i"d'i'sklike plate "p45, v'the'A 's'a'fniex having its inner `periphery vformed with or' securedftoj a ",eross'sectional roundmember or 'sleevef46 which jprothe said meinbers' 37 *may be formed each connecting portions rounded, as clearly 'illus-*f ilpon its inner edge, with inwardly'eXtend- Y jects 'above l and siiitabl'e" 'distan'cejbelow thev e v*.ieowever, Y `said lwall Y,

outwardly and upwardly as at 47, and the substantially cone-shape lower end 48 of the carbid hopper 49 rests upon the flared mouth 47 of the sleeve 46, and may be secured thereto if desired. Y

The outlet mouth 50 for the carbid hopper 49 is normally closed by a flat valve 51, and the said mouth 50 is surrounded by an annular member 52 secured or formed with the carbid hopper 49, the said member 52 providing a directing flange for the carbid when the valve 51 is open and the said carbid delivered therefrom to the generator tank 23. The sleeve 46 is provided with an opening 53 through ,which freely passes a lever 54, the saine also passing through an opening in the directing flange 52 and being pivoted to the said flange as at 55. The inner end of the lever 54 is loosely connected to the rod 56 of the valve 51, the said rod 56 being extended in both directions from the said valve 51, and the outer end of the rod 56 passes througha central opening 57 in the closed top of the, carbid tank 49. The

top of the carbid hopper 49 is provided with v l an opening surrounded by a threaded flange 58, the said flange being engaged by a screw cap 59, and carbid is fed in the hopper through the said opening. i"

Surrounding the hopper, and the purifying receptacle and having its lower and open end at alltinies received in the water in the tank l0 is the gasoineter bell 60. Upon the closed top of the bell 60 is secured suitably spaced, outwardly extending rarms 61 vwhich preferably have their outer 10, whereby to guide the bell in its vertical endsbifurcated to receive rollers 62 which are journaled in the said bufurcated ends of the arms, and these rollers frictionally engage with the inner surface of the tank lmovement as well as'to retain the said bell Y in a proper position inthe tank 10. The upper and closed end of the bell is provided with an opening receiving a pet-cock 63 and this cock is designed to be opened, Y

when the carbidhopper 49 requires refilling, to permit of the escape of accumulated waste gasp 4 v y i From experience, I have found that not infrequently and at undesirable hours inthe night, all ofthe carbid from the hopper has been used, and, consequently, must be recharged before additionall gas `can *be genera-ted. .The trouble,` inconvenience, and

fdangerof-V recharging a lgas machine of this character infthenight is -well known to those using; suchmachines," and to overcome this, I arrange in the carbid hopper 49, n upon two of the. diametrically opposite walls thereof, vertically extending cleats arranged in pairs, asindicated by theiiumerals 64. ,f1-arrange ,betweenthese cleats 64, forever g'ticalgmovemenufa door or-valvlex65 so. that i'yhefpo'rtion` of the hopper between ythe door vedge of the door 65 is a rod 67 which passes through a suitable opening in the upper wall of the hopper. The said upper wall has arranged thereon, an outwardly extending lug 68 t0 which is approximately centrally pivoted a lever 69, the said lever being loosely connected to the upper endof the rod 67, and the outer end of the said lever 69 has pivotally connected therewith, the inner arm 70 of an operatingmember 71. The operating member for the door 65 is preferably in the nature of a rod, bent upon itself to provide inner and outer parallel arms, the outer arm terminating a suitable distance above the gas bell in the mouth of the tank l0 and being provided with a suitable knob or handle 72, wherebythe lever 69 may be i'ocked to open the door 65 and to permit of the surplus 0r additional carbid in the compartinent'GG enteringl the hopper 49, the said carbid, as stated, being suliicient to permit of the generation of gas for a l determined interval.

Connected with `the cooling and reservoir chamber 44 is the house pipe 74, the same being arranged outwardly of the bell 60 and having its upper end provided with an angular extension 75, the pipe extension being preferably buried in the ground a distance below the frost level, the main pipe 75 being, of course, connected with the usual branch pipes leading to the various fixtures in the house. Y

It is believed the operation of the device will be perfectlyv apparent to those skilled in the art to which such inventions appertain, the surplus gas from the generator tank 23 escaping through both the openings 24 and 53 and entering tlie'bell60, causing position ywhen gas is again -generated to cause the bell 60 to rise. 1 r

vHaving thus described my invention, what I; claim is:

1. In an acetylenegas' generator, a water tank, a carbid hopper in said tank, a weight controlledvalve closing 4the outlet mouth tof, the hopper, a` stem for, said valvefex- .tending through Athe-hopper, a vpurifying receptacle arranged below the hopper,.and including a member-having fan; innerapertaining vthe 'said' hopper spaced Ifrom said j receptacle, a 'Generator 'tank'below the puri- .fying vreceptacleand -frictionally engaging therewith, and saiditank' having an .open- If'ing'faboveite* water level,- a cooling cl1aml"berdoe'low the` generating tank, pipe mem- 'lbere "between the chamber 'and the purifying :'ireceptacle,meane'Ion-=said pipes erip'p'ortiiig "the generator tank, an outlet' pipe also com- "municat-ing 'with' the chamber, a bell" Surrounding the' carbid' hopper 'and `purifying receptacle, Vand having its openfend received @'15 "in the wa'terrinE the iiretmentioned tank, and

lanti-frictional guidi-ng elements between the vbell and the water tank.

2. In Vanacetylene-gas generator, a water ftank, va carbid hopper in saidl tank, a weight f v controlled valve cloeingthe` outlet mouth 'of the hopper, astem' `for said valve extending "through the hopper, a purifying receptacle "arranged below 'the hopper, andfincluding amemberv having. an inner perforated wall,

' 25I a sleeveV onfthe purifying receptacle engaging witlithe hopperfor'retaii:1ing=the said hopper spaced from 'said receptacle, agcnerator tank below the"p'u1'ifying receptacle and Vfrictionally engaging therewith-fand 91'39" fsaid tanlhavingan open'ingabove its water level,l a` cooling"chamber below'y the generatingtank, "pipeJ members 'between the cham- 'ber andthepurifyingl receptacle, means'on n "Said pipes' Supporting theY generator tank, an outlet' pipe' falso communicating with the 1 chamber, abell surrounding" the carbid hopi 'per and purifying receptacle`,`and having'. its, SVV-- ')"p"en"end"received inthe water' 1n the `first mentioned tank, anti-frictional guiding ele- ,4g-ments between thebell andthe water ftank,

an auxiliary 'compartment iir the lcarbid hop- "pe`r, a door closingthefsame, and means, in- "fcluding a Substantially U-'shaped'' member "having its arinsdispos'edxto 'the opposite sides ofthe bell forzoperating the Said door.

' 3.,;'Inian acetylene gas generator, a; water vtankgfa carbid' hopper 1n said tank,l a'- weight llcon'trolled lvalve closing the,outletinouth'of the: hopper;v af Stem" for, Vsaid valve extending f TV throrighjthe hopper,"a purifyingreceptacle f-farranged' below thehopper, and 'including a "fmeinber havinganA innerp'erfortted wall,- a n Vttsleeve onitheffpurifying receptacle engaging v with the -hopper l for [retaining the Sa'idf hopperf sp'zu'zed4 froml said: receptacle,- a generator ltank belowthe purifyingl receptaclefand i Zfrictionally f engaging therewith, f andY r said tank havingan opening labove itshwater 'y'jl`evel,a` 'cooling chamber :below the 'generat-v 'lj '60 ing ftankf, pipe imem'bers4v betweenzzthe v cham- ."'ber andthe purifying receptaclesmeans on ""Saic pipes: Supporting the generator'. tank, airjontlet pipe also communicating"with the 'fchambenr` a bell Surroundingthe carbid hop- 'f'per and: purifying-'1receptacle,VV and having agitator in the generator tank,`aiid'1neans operable from the Emouth; of the water f tank Vfor operating'theagitator. l

4. In an acetylene 'gas generator, a water V"tank designed tol belbu'ried inf the ground',l a f flangev cover closingthe mouth ofsaid tank, a carbidffhopper in the tank, a" weightf'con- `tro'lled door normally iclosing the mouthof; ffthe hopper, a stemfor the 'valvev extending v through the top'fof' f the "hopper, o'p'pots'itely disposed' 'spaced l cl'eate in Y the hopper; afdoor arranged "between Said cleats, vwhereby vto `lrprovide an auxiliary carbid 'reeepta'clein the@ hopper, means operative "from'vadj'ac'enti the 'fmouth of thev water tank" for 'sliding "said door, aY Sleeve having a 'iia-ng'e end receiving the lowerportion fofthe hopper; a directing j flangefupon" Y the said 'lo-wer 'portionl of the #"hopper surrounc'ling the" outlet thereof, a purifying] receptacle lfrictional'ly" engaged vby the Sleeve, said "receptacleI including l inner and outer walls, the innerwall'being retieulat'ecL! a: gas'. Vcooling' chamber 'resting' upon the `bottoin'of the water frecep't'acle, pipesbetween Said chamber and theI ypurify- Ving receptacle,*adjustablecollars on" said -'pipes, a platform restingon'saidfcollars; a generator tank "eurpportedon said "pla/affermi: "and frictionally engaging with'thefpurify-V `ing're'ceptacle,Y said generator tankhav'ing an opening 'abovefthe` water line i tlierein, a 'Supply Jpipe connected withg' the cooling chamber; -a bell surrounding the hopper and' I f' purifying receptacle fand'fhavingits flower Yend below'the waterlinefinythe water 'recepta'ele, anti-fractional guidemembers -=bevjtween the bell and the' waterrec'eptacle/and c 'zthe pet-'cock aty the foutercloeed end'of'the v 'beur Y, Y. e i v f In Ian' acetylene "ga's'lgeneratorg a' water tank,` 'af cover forthefmouththereo ai carbid receptacle having a lower cone-shaped 'l f end in the `tank, a flat A weight f influenced" valve closing .the mouthV of-E the f hopper, a Stem for said #valvelproj ecting through; -the a closed top Vofthehopper', apurifying recep- A'tacle arranged belowithe hopper and-'comprising inner .andonter spaced walls, a con-fnecti ng vmember for the lower" ledges y'of the "said walls, the 'innerl avail being reticulated, and a filtering Substancepacked-between the finnerand outer; walls offthesaid receptacle, afdiskresting `upon.ztheoute'rl.edge ofthe sleeve connected 'with Said fdisk frietionally Y 'engagingfwit iffthefinner'awall ofthel 'recepl'tacle at *ft-he"` .up1'aer'="portion zthereo'f; `said @sleeve also engaging with" the Aconical rend.

Y y 1 125 I -5tanksandlclosing the :open-*end thereof@-v a` of the hopper, a directing flange surrounding the valve of the hopper, a cooling chamber on the bottom of the tank, pipe members between said chamber and the purifying receptacle, an adjustable platform supported on the pipes, a generator tank having water therein resting upon the platform, a depending flange on the purifying receptacle frictionally engaging the mouth of the generator tank, said tank having an opening above the water level therein, and the water level in the said tank being' above the water level connected with the cooling chamber, an agitator in the generator tank, and means, operative from the mouth of the water tank for vertically reciprocating the agitator, a bell surrounding the hopper and the purifying receptacle and having its open end below the water line in the water tank, and anti-frictional guide means between the bell and the water tank.

6. In an acetylene gas generator, a water tank, a carbid hopper therein, a Weight influenced valve normally closing the mouth of the hopper, a stem for the valve extending through the top of the hopper, a bell surrounding the hopper and having its open end received in the Water of the water tank, a handle for the bell, a purifying receptacle having an inner retioulated wall below the hopper, a member frictionally engaging with the receptacle and contacting with the hopper for retaining the same spaced, a cooling chamber in the bottom of the tank, pipe members between said chamber of the purifying receptacle, a platform adjustably secured on said pipes, a generating tank supported on said platform and having its open mouth frictionally engaging with the purifying receptacle, said generating tank having an opening above the water line therein, a sleeve extending vertically through the bottom of the generator tank and through the platform, a rod movable through said sleeve, a head upon the upper end of the rod, rod members depending from the head, an agitator comprising a ring member hav ing inturned lugs connected with the said rods, a lever pivotally connected with one of the sustaining members for the platform, and with the rod passing through the sleeve and an operating rod movable through guides in the water tank and having its end provided with a handle disposed adjacent to the mouth of the said water tank.

In testimony whereof I aHiX my signature.

J OE HENRY RICHARDS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

